Tata issues pensions warning to staff

Workers in Hull are among thousands to receive a pensions warning from steel giant Tata.

Unions are expected to report votes for strike action amid Tata’s claim that its pensions pot is set for a £2 billion shortfall.

Tata is a multinational company with a site at Hull’s Kingston International Park in Somerden Road.

Strike ballot results are expected on Friday from GMB, Community and Ucatt union members with Unite set to finish voting next week.

Unions are recommending industrial action against proposals to shut British Steel Pension Schemes to accumulation in years ahead. Scheme changes would raise employees’ retirement age to 65 from the present 60.

Unions officials said that Tata had “flagrantly disregarded” its members’ views.

Tata said that nearly 5,000 staff had visited over 100 pension-themed roadshows across 20 UK venues recently. As many as 2,000 emails and letters had been posted to employees, it added. It claimed that workers had shown “clear” comprehension regarding challenges ahead for its pension scheme.